[Travelinglady]

I think his response is interesting--and am glad he's "come out." Kanye West Reveals He Was Diagnosed with a 'Mental Condition' at Age 39: 'It's a Superpower' - entertainment - att.net

Originally Posted by Travelinglady

I think his response is interesting--and am glad he's "come out." Kanye West Reveals He Was Diagnosed with a 'Mental Condition' at Age 39: 'It's a Superpower' - entertainment - att.net

I figured he had something going on, considering he would often refer to himself as "god" and be VERY serious about it. I also knew he was taking Lexapro. (I don't know why I pay attention to these tabloid things. lol.) So both of those things suggested to me possible delusional disorder, schizophrenia, etc.. Similar thing with Amanda Bynes; although... she said it's not schizophrenia.

Good for him, though. I'm too nervous to come out.

[diamondprincess]

I am glad he is speaking about it as well. It is very obvious that he has a mental disorder. He has always been outspoken and thats part of what people like that about him, but the past few years, his behavior has been odd. It seems like after his mom died, he didn't really deal with the loss and then his family got robbed. He needs to take time off, but it seems really hard to do when you're famous. Anyway, I like Kanye and wish him well.

[*Laurie*]

Doesn't surprise me at all, but I admire him for letting the public know what's going on with his mental state.

[Daonnachd]

The thing is, his statement that bipolar is a "superpower" trivialises the struggles we endure, resulting in misconceptions about our difficulties and pain. Those who don't have bipolar disorder look at him and conclude it must not really be tough to live with.

Of course, this is just my opinion. I realise there will be many who disagree.

[bizi]

Originally Posted by vertigo

The thing is, his statement that bipolar is a "superpower" trivialises the struggles we endure, resulting in misconceptions about our difficulties and pain. Those who don't have bipolar disorder look at him and conclude it must not really be tough to live with.

Of course, this is just my opinion. I realise there will be many who disagree.

you are right vertigo.
just like the mass shooters who end up having mental health issues make it hard on the rest of us. I don't disclose my bp until I really know some one.

The stigmas is as great as ever.
bizi

I’m not going to judge him. He might be going around unmediated, believing his disorder is the reason he is successful. His statement sounds manic. People are making fun of his album cover (I hate being bipolar it’s awesome). Actually, it at least expresses the duality of it.

My first thought when he went on stage to steal Taylor Swift’s spotlight (many years ago) was, “He’s manic.” Just my layperson opinion, but I observed a lot of manic shenanigans from my mother over the years almost just like that, believing she and I were the *best* at everything, and God help anyone that ranked someone above us in any way (school was a nightmare for me, as were any activities).

I suspect like most of us, it’s taken a long time for him to get dx’d, been a hard time accepting it, and treatment is no walk in the park to get it right.

[WildcatVet]

Agree with vertigo! To me he's just acting like it's something glamorous and trendy. I'm so sick of the phrase, "I'm so Bipolar today!"
Take it seriously or don't take it at all. Use it to do some good, Kanye.

[RedDawn]

Originally Posted by vertigo

The thing is, his statement that bipolar is a "superpower" trivialises the struggles we endure, resulting in misconceptions about our difficulties and pain. Those who don't have bipolar disorder look at him and conclude it must not really be tough to live with.

Of course, this is just my opinion. I realise there will be many who disagree.

I doesn't trivialize it.

It just shows that he's in a grandiose moment.

It's part of the condition.

You guys should recognize that.

[Unrigged64072835]

I think for a rapper, it could be a superpower. Think of all the rappers and some of what they go through. It's a rich ground for material.

For most of us, though--not so much.

[Daonnachd]

Originally Posted by RedDawn

I doesn't trivialize it.

It just shows that he's in a grandiose moment.

It's part of the condition.

You guys should recognize that.

Except that the general public, who know nothing of bipolar, take this one comment and construct their image of the illness, and all of us who suffer it, as a superpower, not some grandiose moment in a very complicated affliction.

If KW were speaking of mania to an audience consisting of bipolar patients and nobody else, we would understand the superpower comment. It would be appropriate, if not humorous, but in an open statement to the ignorant, it's fuel on the bonfire of stigma.

Why do you have to take meds? Why do you need time off work? Why can't you work? You say you have bipolar - K West says it's a superpower. You must not really have it.

[diamondprincess]

Originally Posted by vertigo

Except that the general public, who know nothing of bipolar, take this one comment and construct their image of the illness, and all of us who suffer it, as a superpower, not some grandiose moment in a very complicated affliction.

If KW were speaking of mania to an audience consisting of bipolar patients and nobody else, we would understand the superpower comment. It would be appropriate, if not humorous, but in an open statement to the ignorant, it's fuel on the bonfire of stigma.

Why do you have to take meds? Why do you need time off work? Why can't you work? You say you have bipolar - K West says it's a superpower. You must not really have it.

Its obvious he has it, I just don't think he has fully accepted it yet. Its a hard thing to accept. Hell Mariah Carey just came out as bipolar after like 15 years. It was shocking. Celebs have more to lose being open about it. Soooo many people will judge them and that can make them worse.

[pirilin]

Ken who?.

Originally Posted by WildcatVet

Agree with vertigo! To me he's just acting like it's something glamorous and trendy. I'm so sick of the phrase, "I'm so Bipolar today!"
Take it seriously or don't take it at all. Use it to do some good, Kanye.

I agree with this. If he is manic, then I feel bad for his family. At some point it won't be glamorous any more. Even during mania, it scares people close to you. To others, you're not really real, you're just some showbiz bozo, or someone that some people trust for the wrong reasons. Sounds like someone else I know of. Hmm?

[Asteya]

Everything has a strength and weakness, I don’t disclose this with many and many would never know unless I tell them.

[Cocosurviving]

Originally Posted by vertigo

Except that the general public, who know nothing of bipolar, take this one comment and construct their image of the illness, and all of us who suffer it, as a superpower, not some grandiose moment in a very complicated affliction.

If KW were speaking of mania to an audience consisting of bipolar patients and nobody else, we would understand the superpower comment. It would be appropriate, if not humorous, but in an open statement to the ignorant, it's fuel on the bonfire of stigma.

Why do you have to take meds? Why do you need time off work? Why can't you work? You say you have bipolar - K West says it's a superpower. You must not really have it.

Personally I’m not into celebrities. I have never liked KW. I feel like he never read a book or took a class about bipolar disorder in his life....at best he might have flipped through a pamphlet.

I'd be lying if I said I've never referred to my BP as a superpower. Not that I truly believe that, but I'm pretty sure everyone who has recognized a productive euphoric (hypo)mania in themselves think it's all that and a bag of chips. I'm not saying it's good that he said that because as stated the general public isn't going to know that that kind of thinking is actually a symptom, but it's understandable and I can't condemn him for it.

[Cocosurviving]

Out of all the bipolar symptoms. KW decided to focus on “one” which he renamed “superpower”. If anything stick to what it actually is euphoric mania or hypomania. I’m not sure if he’s suppose to be bipolar one or two. I’m bipolar one and I’m put off by this. I was misdiagnosed with depression put on an antidepressant. It flipped me into full blown mania for months. It was no f*** fun! And I was not thinking of myself as having “superpowers”. After I went for a second opinion and learned I had bipolar one. I read so many books, took classes and joined support groups.
It was hell though and I do not f**** appreciate KW making a damn joke out of the bipolar struggle. He half ***** named one symptom and that’s because he just read a damn pamphlet!

[BipolaRNurse]

Kanye West isn't bipolar, or if he is, he's using it as an excuse to be a horse's ***. Nothing new there.

[pirilin]

Mr West is entitled to make a different statement every time he wakes up.
Tomorrow he may be a bum or a king. How knows.

[~Christina]

He’s an assshatttttt ! He gives BP and MI a bad name.